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This episode continues on from Welcome to the Hellmouth, (the first two 45 minute episodes were shown together when the series premiered in the US).

With the introductions out of the way, things begin to settle down, and this is much more like a typical episode in structure, carefully balancing a well-developed plot with rich character development.

The Harvest has more time to breathe, giving writer Whedon room for his witty Clueless-like patois and for interesting set-pieces, like the scene where Willow and Xander catch themselves discussing vampires as casually as they might once have debated that day's lunch menu.

This episode also steps up a gear, with the show's first proper fight scene, when Luke and Buffy tangle. These beautifully choreographed stunt sequences are always exciting, and, if shot properly, the visceral payoff to many episodes. It's hard not to love a show where one of the undead is decapitated by a cymbal thrown like a Frisbee.

It's obvious that the series is still developing at this stage, but the characters are already well-sketched. Giles, struggling with the concept that Buffy and her entourage might be humanity's last line of defence against the forces of darkness, sighs that ''The Earth is doomed!''